Does authentic self‐esteem buffer the negative effects of bullying victimization on social anxiety and classroom concentration? Evidence from a short‐term longitudinal study with early adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID9615564
AuthorsMichael J Boulton (0009-0005-4992-6431, University of Chester Chester UK), Peter J R Macaulay (0000-0003-4891-9940, University of Derby Derby UK, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume93
Issue2
Pages500-512
Publication date2023-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Educational Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-0998 • E-ISSN: 2044-8279
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/bjep.12573
PMID36550069
OpenAlexW4312114366
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited47

BACKGROUND: Bullying victimization is a risk factor for social anxiety and disrupted classroom concentration among young people. Self-esteem has been implicated as a protective factor, but extant literature is sparse. AIMS: Aim of present study was to test if a new measure of authentic self-esteem can buffer the negative effects of bullying victimization on social anxiety and disrupted classroom concentration concurrently and across time. SAMPLE: A short-term longitudinal questionnaire design was employed with 836 12- and 13-year-olds. METHODS: Peer nominations of bullying victimization and self-reports of authentic self-esteem were collected during winter term, and self-reports of social anxiety and disrupted classroom concentration were solicited then and also 5 months later. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression models indicated that authentic self-esteem moderated the association between bullying victimization and (i) social anxiety both concurrently and longitudinally and (ii) disrupted classroom concentration longitudinally. The Johnson-Neyman technique identified where on its scale authentic self-esteem had its buffering effects, and these were found to be at relatively low or moderate levels. CONCLUSIONS: Even moderate levels of authentic self-esteem can mitigate the association between being bullied and (i) social anxiety and (ii) disrupted classroom concentration. Efforts to monitor and where necessary enhance the authentic self-esteem of young people are warranted

Anxiety · Association (psychology) · Developmental psychology · Extant taxon · Fear of negative evaluation · Multilevel model · Peer victimization · Poison control · Psychiatry · Self-esteem · Social anxiety · Structural equation modeling · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Psychology · Social Psychology · Workplace Violence and Bullying

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